December brings us to the end of 2011. And what a year it’s been! Business has been steadily growing and employment is up due to the high demand of seasonal workers. The optimism for 2012 can get everyone excited. But instead of focusing on the upcoming year, let’s make sure to finish this one on a high note. Whether you live in Brownsville, Texas or Alberta, Canada, the start of the winter can be celebrated in many ways from poinsettias to fir trees and sunshine to snowmen. To get a start on this holiday season, try these five things to do this month.
Reason for the Season
Whether by celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or Festivus, most agree that it’s better to give than to receive. This December, what better way to celebrate the holidays than by participating in one of the many charitable organizations in your community? With Operation Christmas Child, Angel Tree, Toys For Tots, and others, you can make a difference in a child’s life by just giving a small portion out of your abundance. Providing a child-in-need with a meaningful holiday will help to make the season bright. This is also a great way to get your own kids involved in giving this season. Have your children help pick gifts for the less fortunate and come up with other ways to serve. So pick a charity, and start a tradition of giving within your family.
Business Plan, Anyone?
If you haven’t written one or are still using the one from before the new millennium, December is a great time to write up a business plan. In fact, it is the national month for writing one. Whether or not we need a month to designate the necessity of creating a business plan isn’t important – what’s important is analyzing and focusing your business on 2012. There are several reasons why it is essential to put together a business plan, but one motivation to get it finished before the new year is to be able to start the year right by having clear-cut goals set and ready to go when January 1 rolls around.
Get a Head’s Up on Goals
One of the first things people think about when January 1 rolls around is writing New Year’s resolutions. Setting goals for the year is a wonderful and rewarding activity, but not spending sufficient time on creating realistic and wise ones may leave them unfulfilled. So instead of hastily scrapping together resolutions, spend this month deciding where and who you want to be in 2012 and what it will take to get you there. You’ll discover that the extra time spent on brainstorming will help take the storm out of the New Year.
Bravo!
You don’t have to be on Broadway to enjoy the theater. In fact, December is a great month for non-aficionados to attend. Most towns have a community theater and will be showing Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, while others may be showing a production of The Nutcracker. It will be fun for the whole family and help get anyone into the holiday spirit. Trade in your “bah humbug” for some merriment and cheer.
Start Your Engines
A problem with the end of the fourth quarter is that with all the office parties and vacation days it is very easy to let a few things slip through the cracks. Make sure to end the year strong by staying organized and focused. One great way to stay focused through the holiday season is to start working on items you were leaving for after New Year’s. Getting started on the first quarter’s work will help ease the transition from in-laws and holiday shopping back to business and leading your team to success in 2012.
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